IMPS all grown up

Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s infant management parenting skills (IMPS) centre is all grown up with the service celebrating its 20th birthday yesterday.

IMPS provides support for parents, and parents to be, to assist with infants including breastfeeding or sleeping to an intensive full-day crash course for mothers and fathers to resolve parenting issues.

The service was established and funded by the community after a three-year grassroots fundraising and awareness campaign for IMPS to open its doors on 3 March 1999.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service Board Chair Mr Tony Mooney said the community should be extremely proud of the 20-year milestone.

“Over the past 20 years, countless mums and dads who just needed that extra little bit of support or advice have found the help they need within these walls,” Mr Mooney said.

Pamela Hueber, the nurse unit manager of child, youth and family health and one of IMPS’ clinical nurses said the centre’s 20th birthday would never have happened without the support of the community.

Ms Hueber said at the time support for parents existed between extremes, either a 30-minute home visit by a child health nurse in Townsville or a week-long intensive program in Brisbane.

“There was a real passion in the community for a service that provided a middle ground,” she said.

“Townsville wanted somewhere that resembled a home environment where parents could come locally and get the support they need.

“A committee was formed in 1994 to raise awareness and funds for IMPS and that committee still exists and meets today.

“One of the most pleasing things is that the vision the community had for IMPS 20 years ago is still strongly aligned to what we deliver here today.”

Leonie Johnson was a key consumer advocate for the establishment of a local service after struggling to find support as a young Mum raising her son Zane.

“I went to multiple doctors and paediatricians and ended up being referred to the Riverton Centre in Brisbane which was really isolating and disempowering,” she said.

“When I got back to Townsville I found there was some talk around establishing a local service here in Townsville and I was happy to lend my voice and my story in support of that.

“To be honest I can’t believe IMPS is still here and it really is a testament to the tenacity, insight and dedication of the local committee and the community who fought so hard for this service.”

Mr Mooney said providing comprehensive supports to new parents was vitally important to the health of the next generation.

“The choices parents make from conception to when their child turns two can set them up for a lifetime of good health,” he said.

“This service makes it easier for local parents to get the extra support they need to give their kids the best start."